Fern Britton has admitted she fears being ‘critiqued badly’ in bed with a new partner as she opened up about her sex preferences.
The former This Morning presenter, 67, is believed to be single four years on from her shocking split from TV chef and ex co-star Phil Vickery, 63, and is now ready to find love again.
In a candid new interview with Women and Home magazine, Fern revealed her views on intimacy in your 60s, detailing what she looks for in a man and in the bedroom.
And while the TV personality said sex isn’t ‘enormously important’ to her, she confessed her worries about being judged between the sheets should she find a new partner, before detailing what she does like about lovemaking.
She said: ‘It’s more [about] exposing yourself to a stranger’s eyes and [thinking], Will I be critiqued badly? Do I want to be critiqued? I want the ideal sex, which is romantic, gentle, fulfilling and looking into each other’s eyes.’
Going on to describe what turns her off in the bedroom, she continued: ‘No gymnastics, not being given accessories to wear or use, not s3x for s3x.’
The star went on to say that she’s far more interested in finding someone who is ‘really into’ her as a person.
She added: ‘And then, of course, I’d have to perhaps go for somebody with a big beer tummy and hairy ears. Well, if I love him, that will be fine! To be seen, that’s what we would all prefer.’
The showbiz world was left stunned back in 2020 when Fern announced her split from Phil after 20 years of marriage.
The fifth-placed Celebrity Big Brother star wrote at the time on Twitter: ‘After more than 20 happy years together, Phil and I have decided to go our separate ways.
‘We will always share a great friendship and our lovely children. We would appreciate it if our privacy is respected at this time. Thankyou for your continued kindness and support.’
In her interview, Fern went on to clarify that the two now only communicate on ‘basic levels’ when it comes to their 23-year-old daughter Winnie, adding that she doesn’t speak to Phil about his personal life as it’s ‘not my business anymore.’
As well as Winnie, Fern also has twin sons Harry and Jack, 30, and daughter Grace, 27, from her first marriage to Clive Jones CBE.
On the possibility of dating someone new, Fern didn’t rule out finding love again but insisted that she’s not looking for commitment.
Indeed, the former Ready, Steady, Cook host previously confirmed to Daily Mail that she’s not interested in cohabitating a new partner or even marrying for a third time.
She said: ‘I don’t want to live with anyone and I don’t want to get married again. I’m a very independent person and the older I get the more I realise I like freedom.
Earlier this year, Fern opened up about her desire to find love again, remarking that she’d ‘like a bit of romance.’
Speaking on Lorraine back in April, she told Christine Lampard, 45: ‘People say to me: “Are you dating? Are you doing this, are you doing that.”
‘The answer is no. I’m not dating at all. I’m not looking for anything, but – although I’d never want to get married again, or live with anyone again – I’d like just a bit of romance.
‘A little bit of going out to supper or maybe having a bit of a holiday. Someone to talk to at the end of the day to run things past. That would be nice.’
She finished: ‘I don’t need it. But it would be nice.’
